Cricket in the City of Toronto

Background:
Cricket was the first national sport of Canada, from 1867, and is now the second most popular sport in the world. The sport has become
increasingly popular across the City which is a reflection of the changing demographics. Growing numbers of new immigrants from countries such
as India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Caribbean and Africa nations grew up playing cricket back home. Playing cricket here in Toronto is a way of
reclaiming their identity. Cricket gives new immigrants something they can connect to and provides a link between the homeland and the adopted
country.

‘Playing cricket in a cold country is not without challenges, including the lack of regulation cricket pitches, the inclement weather and the fact that
use of City parks by sports teams is not permitted until mid-May.

While the game tends to be dominated by newcomers to Canada and second-generation immigrants, it is slowly catching the interest of the
Canadian-born typically more comfortable wielding a hockey stick or baseball bat (Cricket Canada).’

Toronto Population Demographics:

Toronto’s population is approximately 2.6 people. Nearly half of the City’s population (47% or 1,162,635 people) are visible minorities. The City of
Toronto’s visible minority population has increased by 10.6% since 2001, and by 31.8% since 1996. It is estimated that by 2012, the visible
minority population in Toronto will be the majority (Census 2006).

1) The South Asian population has now overtaken Chinese as the top visible minority group in Toronto, with a population of 298,370 or 12.0%.
South Asia is the top region of origin for recent immigrants settling in Toronto (26% - predominantly from India at 12%). The South Asian
countries include Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

South Asian Neighbourhoods:

According to Statistics Canada Census 2006, the following neighbourhoods have been
identified as being highly populated by the South Asian community:
• West Humber – Clairville
• Mount Olive – Silverstone – Jamestown
• Thistletown – Beaumond Heights
• Humber Summit
• Flemingdon Park
• Thorncliffe Park
• Oakridge
• Dorset Park
• Woburn
• Malvern
• Rouge
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South Asia Countries and Cricket:

Bangladesh: Everywhere on the Indian subcontinent, cricket is a passion. Though Bangladesh is not a cricket test nation, it is one of the strongest
sides among the second-tier countries. People also follow the matches of Pakistan, a world power in cricket. The Bangladeshis have hosted
international test matches.

India: India's national passion is cricket. Introduced by the British, cricket is perfectly suited to the warm Indian climate and pace of life. Teams from
all states compete, with players selected for the national team, which has achieved world standing. During international matches, people listen to
radio broadcasts everywhere.

Pakistan: Field hockey, cricket and squash are favourite sports. Pakistani soccer players are among the best in the world, but cricket is the
country's passion. Cricket is to Pakistanis what hockey is to Canadians.

Sri Lanka: Cricket, introduced by the British in the 18th century, has become the country's most popular sport. Team players are treated as national
heroes. Radio broadcasts of games in Tamil, Sinhalese and English can be heard in many public places.

2) The Black population is the third top visible minority in Toronto, with a population of 208,555 or 8.4%. The top regions of origin for Black
immigrants settling in Toronto are Caribbean, Central and South America (10%) and Africa (6%). The Caribbean (or commonly referred to as
the West Indies) include islands such as Barbados, Grenada, Jamaica, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago. Africa is made
up of 53 countries most of which were created by early European colonialism.

Black Neighbourhoods:

According to Statistics Canada Census 2006, the following neighbourhoods have been
identified as being highly populated by the Black community:
• West Humber – Clairville
• Mount Olive – Silverstone – Jamestown
• Elms – Old Rexdale
• Weston
• Mount Dennis
• North St. James Town
• Black Creek
• Glenfield – Jane Heights
• Downsview – Roding – CFB
• Rustic
• Brookhaven – Amesbury
• Beechborough – Greenbrook
• Malvern
• West Hill
• Highland Creek
• Rouge
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The Caribbean, Central and South American Countries and Cricket:

Barbados: Cricket, the national sport, is played throughout the year, as weather conditions are ideal for the game. Children start playing cricket at
an early age. International matches are played in Kensington Oval. Barbados always supplies the West Indies team with excellent cricketers.

Grenada: Cricket, soccer (called football) and netball are the most popular sports on the island. Cricket is played from January to June and during
that time there is a game almost every Saturday and Sunday.

Jamaica: Jamaica's favourite sports are soccer and cricket. Introduced by the British in the 19th century, cricket quickly rose in popularity. Many
captains of the West Indies cricket team have come from Jamaica.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines: Cricket and soccer are very popular in St. Vincent. Both children and adults play these sports, either casually or
competitively. Vincentians organize cricket and soccer games on any flat, open ground, including the beach. Many Vincentians have been selected
to represent the West Indies in cricket.

Trinidad and Tobago: Cricket is a popular sport in T & T. T & T nationals, as part of the West Indian cricket team, have dominated this game
internationally for years. People play cricket in parks, on the street and in open spaces during the dry season.

Guyana (South America): The British introduced cricket to Guyana. People from Guyana excel at the sport and are often recruited to play for the
English cricket clubs. Cricket is the national sport of Guyana and is played and enjoyed by both men and women. The Guyanese follow the
International Test Matches with great enthusiasm. Both men's and women's teams compete at national, school, county and village levels.

African Countries and Cricket:

Africa's climate is ideal for outdoor sports and recreation all through the year. Soccer, rugby and cricket are the most popular sports in Africa.
South Africa is home to the African Cricket Association with members from the following African countries:
• Botswana • Malawi • Nigeria • Swaziland
• Cameroon • Mali • Rwanda • Uganda
• Gambia • Mauritius • Seychelles • Tanzania
• Ghana • Morocco • Sierra Leone • Zambia
• Kenya • Mozambique • St. Helena Island • Zimbabwe
• Lesotho • Namibia

3) In 2006, 28% of all ethnic origins in Toronto were European (the largest cluster of ethnic groups in Toronto) with 19% identified coming from
the British Isles (including England, Scotland, and Ireland). Europe was the third top regions of origin for recent immigrants settling in Toronto
(14% - primarily Eastern European countries).

European Countries and Cricket:

England: Cricket is England's national game. The game developed from its origins in England from the beginning of the 17th century into a game
which is now played professionally in most of the Commonwealth of Nations.
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Cricket was introduced to North America via the English colonies in the 17th century. In the 18th century it arrived in other parts of the globe. It was
introduced to the West Indies by colonists and to India by British East India Company mariners in the first half of the century. It arrived in Australia
almost as soon as colonization began in 1788. New Zealand and South Africa followed in the early years of the 19th century.

Neighbourhood Cricket Demographics:

To meet the recreational needs of the City’s diverse population, Cricket grounds have been developed throughout the City and used by many
Cricket leagues. The following is a list of Cricket pitches constructed on City parks:

1) Etobicoke York District:

Park Neighbourhood Used by League

Colonel Samuel Smith Park (one pitch) New Toronto Brampton - Etobicoke & District Cricket League
Centennial Park (two pitches) Eringate – Centennial – West Deane Brampton - Etobicoke & District Cricket League
Eglinton Flats (two pitches) Weston – Mt. Dennis Toronto & District Cricket Association
Humberline Park (one pitch) West Humber – Clairville Toronto & District Cricket Association
Summerlea Park (one pitch) Elms – Old Rexdale Brampton - Etobicoke & District Cricket League
Richview Park (one pitch) Willowridge – Martingrove - Richview

Proposed site: Thackeray Park (Neighbourhood: Jamestown) http://www.torontoparksandtrees.org/cricket.htm#participate

2) Toronto and East York District:

Park Neighbourhood Used by League

Cedarvale Park (one pitch) Humewood – Cedarvale

McCleary Park (one pitch) South Riverdale

3) North York District:

Park Neighbourhood Used by League

Toronto & District Cricket Association
Caledonia Park (two pitches) Lawrence Heights
Canadian Commonwealth Cricket Association
Norfinch Sports Fields (one pitch) Jane – Finch Canadian Commonwealth Cricket Association
Keele Reservoir (two pitches) York University Heights Canadian Commonwealth Cricket Association
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Park Neighbourhood Used by League
G. Ross Lord Park (two pitches) Westminster – Branson Toronto & District Cricket Association
Sunnybrook Park (three pitches) Bridle Path – Sunnybrook – York Mills Toronto & District Cricket Association
Eglinton Park Lawrence Park South
Memorial Park Forest Hill North
Downsview Park Downsview – Roding – CFB Canadian Commonwealth Cricket Association
Toronto Cricket Skating & Curling Club Bedford Park - Nortown Toronto & District Cricket Association

4) East District:

Park Neighbourhood Used by League

L’Amoreaux Park (one pitch) Steeles – L’Amoreaux Scarborough Cricket Association

Ellesmere Ravine Park (two pitches) Morningside Scarborough Cricket Association
University of Toronto, Scarborough Campus
Highland Creek Scarborough Cricket Association
(one pitch)
Scarborough Cricket Association
Ashtonbee Reservoir (one pitch) Wexford/Maryvale
Canadian Commonwealth Cricket Association
Terry Fox Park Steeles – L’Amoreaux Scarborough Cricket Association
Goldhawk Park Milliken Scarborough Cricket Association
Wexford Park Wexford/Maryvale
Percy Cummings Police Grounds Milliken Canadian Commonwealth Cricket Association

Priority Neighbourhoods: Most of the City’s priority neighbourhoods (13 neighbourhoods that are at socio-economic risk) exhibit a higher than
average number of visible minorities and recent immigrants. Similar to the profile of visible minority populations, almost every priority
neighbourhood has a higher than average proportion of recent immigrants (near or almost 2/3 of the population).

City Neighbourhoods Identified as Highly Populated by South Asian and Black Communities:

Neighbourhood Has a Cricket Ground? Priority Neighbourhood?

West Humber – Clairville 
Mount Olive – Silverstone – Jamestown 
Thistletown – Beaumond Heights

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Neighbourhood Has a Cricket Ground? Priority Neighbourhood?
Humber Summit (Jane – Finch) 
Flemingdon Park 
Thorncliffe Park
Oakridge
Dorset Park 
Woburn
Malvern 
Rouge
Elms – Old Rexdale 
Weston 
Mount Dennis  
North St. James Town
Black Creek (Jane – Finch)  
Glenfield – Jane Heights (Jane – Finch) 
Downsview – Roding – CFB 
Rustic
Brookhaven – Amesbury
Beechborough – Greenbrook
West Hill
Highland Creek 

Of the 23 identified neighbourhoods highly populated by the South Asian/Black communities:

• Nine are a priority neighbourhood (39%)
• Six have cricket grounds (26%)
• 17 do not have a cricket ground (74%)

Note: this is not a conclusive list of neighbourhoods in the City of Toronto with higher than average populations of visible minorities/newcomers.

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